Why is the lyric not found in a good number in this age? ( MEG 102 ) ( THE AGE OF DRYDEN )

The term "lyric" refers to a type of poetry that expresses personal feelings or emotions. While there are examples of lyric poetry in the age of Dryden (the late 17th century), it is true that this type of poetry is not as prevalent during this period as it is in other periods of English literature.

One reason for this is that the age of Dryden was marked by a strong emphasis on reason and rationality. This was a time when science, philosophy, and politics were all dominated by the idea of reason and the pursuit of knowledge. Poetry, too, was expected to conform to these ideals. As a result, many poets of this period focused on creating poetry that was logical, clear, and straightforward, rather than exploring the complexities of personal emotions and feelings.

Additionally, the age of Dryden saw the rise of a type of poetry known as heroic couplets, which were a formal, rhyming verse form that emphasized wit, satire, and intellectual complexity. This type of poetry was popularized by Dryden himself, as well as other poets of the time such as Alexander Pope. While it is possible to write lyric poetry in heroic couplets, this form of verse is more suited to satire and political commentary than to the expression of personal emotions.

It is also worth noting that the age of Dryden was followed by the Romantic period, which saw a renewed interest in lyric poetry and the exploration of personal emotion and experience. This may have contributed to a relative lack of lyric poetry during the age of Dryden, as poets of the time were perhaps more focused on other forms and subjects.